The Price Of Evil

Perspective: Stargazer

Date: January 14th, 2557

Location: Ponyville

       I sigh as my eyes slowly open, but they flutter closed as the sunlight nearly blinds me. After a few minutes of adjusting to the bright light, I hold my hoof. There's a white bandage wrapped around it and a medium-sized blood spot on the top of it. The doctors couldn't identify what I was shot with, but they managed to pull whatever it was out of my hoof. I look to right and see a nightstand with a lamp on it, but I was more interested in the glass of water resting there.

      I pondered what the creature asked me, about helping him. I don't know what to do when it comes to that, I mean I did try to kill him and him trying to kill me, but... He brought me to the hospital and healed me, so I should feel inclined to help him. But, I barely know him. It would be awkward helping him after we attempted to kill each other, but he needs me. I can tell he's not healthy and he told me he's dying, and to be fair, I kind of want some vengeance on Luna as well.

      He said I still have three weeks to come up with my decision, so I don't need to fret. Although, Nightmare Moon is being released in a few months and three weeks seems like a ton of time to waste, but I respect his decision. I mean, it would be pretty hard to walk on four limbs when you've been walking on two for your whole life. Well, I assume he's been walking on two legs his whole life, but then again, he could be lying. Oh well, let's see if he's here. He did say he would be in here.

      "Uh, you there?"

      "Y-Yeah, I'm here." I hear him say in the corner of the room. I guess he's still invisible, and that's a pretty cool trick. I want to call out to him again, but stop myself. There was hesitation in his voice, not to mention it sounds like he's been awake all night. Can he not sleep, or does he choose not to? Oh well, but I did hear some muttering in my room late last night, so I guess that answers my question. I wonder what else he can do. I need to know his name.

      "What's your name?"

      "Your worst nightmare... Your master.... M-My name is Democles." Wait, what were the first two things he said? Worst Nightmare and Master? Yeah, I was definitely right when it comes to the healthy department, it sounds like he's going insane. Hell, I can't say no to helping someone who is a ticking time bomb, my parents wouldn't approve of that. But, what if he goes over the deep end when I try helping him and he attacks me? No, I made my decision.

      "Democles?"

      "What is it, fool... Bow down to me... What is it, Stargazer?"

      "I made my decision about helping you."

      "About time, I lost my patience... You will obey me, decision or not... What's your decision?"

      "I'll help you." I say, looking over in the general direction he's in.

      "Good, muahahaha... You would have helped regardless... T-Thank you."

      "You don't sound so good, Democles."

      "We sound perfectly fine... Royalty doesn't need sanity... Y-Yeah, I know."

      Neither of us speak for awhile, so the room was left in an awkward silence. I guess he didn't want to speak with those other two voices interfering with his speech. I need to help him get to the Lunar Facility and free Nightmare Moon. I don't know if he will kill her or not, but I heard that the Elements of Harmony will find new Bearers when the time comes, but I hope that the time is soon. It doesn't seem like Democles will last long enough to cleanse the Darkness from Luna. It seems like this all a test of time...

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Perspective: Stargazer

Date: January 21st, 2557

Location: Ponyville

One Week Later

      It's been a few days since I was released from the hospital and now it seems like it's a waiting game for a week. Democles' condition has only been getting worse and it seems like more voices has been added when he speaks, making it hard to understand him. In the past week, we've been getting closer and I would consider him a friend. I don't know if he considers me a friend, but he's more open and friendly now, less threats and all.

      I don't know where he's been staying ever since I left the hospital, but if I ever need to find him, he just appears. It's like he senses when I need him and knows exactly where to find me, it's bizarre. I've been hanging around my friend, Rainbow Dash for the past few days since my family lives in Manehattan. She's nice and has quite a bundle of... Well, let's go with interesting friends. Rainbow Dash and I known each other since we were foals, so I would say we were best friends.

     I know she knows about Democles, she told me so. She threw a rock at the back of his head and he said for her to leave him alone. I told her about his condition and about our friendship, and she was shocked to say the least. I guess I can hold the title of be-friending an unknown creature. I haven't spoken to him for a few days and I'm worried that he may have finally went off the deep end. I sure hope not, he seemed like a good person. I hear the door open and Rainbow Dash walks in.

      "Oh hey, Rainbow."

      "Yeah, we need to talk about Democles."

      "What is it?" I ask, hoping it's not the obvious.

      "Well, I ran into him when I went to go exercise. It seems like he keeps switching between whatever he is and, well... An Alicorn and a Threstral. I guess the three can't decide what form to be. So much for two weeks, Star." I sigh as I slump in my seat, wondering what I should to help. Honestly, I don't know much about his species and I don't know if it's normal for things like him to change species like this. Regardless, he needs my help. But, where is he?

      "Do you know where he is?" I ask, standing up and stretching my wings.

      "Yeah, you want me to bring you to him?"

      "Yes." She nods and we head out, locking the door behind us. I still don't know why Rainbow Dash locks her doors, Equestria doesn't usually have robbers and murderers, but I guess better safe than sorry. We fly to the edge of Ponyville, a huge grass plain. It's right on the edge of the Everfree Forest and where most of the monsters in there roam around. We land and walk up to one lone tree, the leaves orange and yellow. It's not Autumn, yet the leaves are changing. Weird.

      "Democles, it's Stargazer. You there?"

      "Leave us alone, fool... Give up, Democles... Please, help me... Osiris, you need to help him... Let him give into the Alicorn... He needs help, Echo!" I walk up to him and see that he's currently an Alicorn. His coat is completely black, along with his mane and tail. I can't see his eyes, but I assume they're black as well. His cutie mark is the insignia for the old Lunar Guard from a thousand years ago. His wings are folded against his side and his horn is protruding from his forehead.

      "Rainbow, go get your friends."

      "Why?"

      "Just go get them!" I say, making her fly off towards Ponyville. I look down and see that Democles is now a Threstral. He has extra fur and it's dark grey, his mane and tail being midnight blue. His cutie mark is the same Lunar Guard insignia. His wings are now replaced by leathery wings instead of the normal ones, and there's no horn anymore. There's extra fur around his ears and fangs are sticking out of his mouth. I sigh as I hold him in my hooves, trying to comfort him.

       "Democles, you need to make a decision."

       "The decision is being made, Pegasus... The decision has already been made, but these two are fighting it... Stargazer, you need to tell Osiris to unlock the armor... Release the armor, Osiris... Give unto the Alicorn, Democles... Help him, Osiris!" I figured out by now that the third voice is Democles and I tried to figure out what he's saying. I have to convince someone named Osiris to release his armor, but I have to wait until he's in his regular form.

      "Osiris, release his armor!" At this point in time, Rainbow Dash has already returned with her friends.

      "Shut up fool, this doesn't concern you... You two lost, bow down... Osiris, release my armor NOW... Osiris, unlock his armor... No, don't release it... Keep trying, Osiris... I'm doing it... No, the Alicorn must not be released... It's too late, Democles only has a week until his final transformation... No, Osiris unlock my fucking armor NOW, Eclipse can't win... So close... Yet so far... So close... I almost have it... Osiris hurry up... I have already one, losers... Eclipse is almost released, hurry... I did it!"

      I see Democles in his normal form and he yanks his helmet off, chucking it into the distance. He's panting alot and backed up to the tree. I see all Rainbow's friends gasp at Democles' appearance and even I'm shocked. He has dark black hair, but it's shaved to a buzz-cut and he has a beard, but that's not it. His skin is pale white and he has veins running down his face. It almost looks like someone just upped and took his soul... Oh, wait.

     "What?" He asks.

     "Nothing, you're just not what I expected you to look like."

     "Then what did you expect me to look like?" He says, standing up and walking over to the helmet. He picks it up and looks inside of it before yanking something out of it. It's some kind of chip and it's glowing orange. He raises his arm and slips it into the machine attached to his arm. He places the helmet back on his head and looks towards me and the girls. I look over to them before I rub my hoof, the one he shot. He stares at me before I speak.

     "Well, I don't know actually. I thought you couldn't take that armor off, so I didn't think about it."

     "So did I, but Osiris said she could. It was supposed to be a last resort, but it got worse."

     "So what exactly are you?" Rainbow asks, stepping up.

     "I'm a Human, although I'm probably the only here." He says, looking down at her.

     "Oh my gosh! We need to throw you a Welcome To Ponyville, You're Different Party!" Pinkie Pie screams out, jumping up and down.

     "No. No parties. At all. Unless of course, there's alcohol. But, I doubt you ponies have Whiskey."

     "What's Whiskey?"

     "Exactly. So unless you can get me Whiskey, no party."

     "Do ya' have any friends?" I hear Applejack ask, stepping up a bit. I see him turn around and look towards Ponyville, his hands at his side. I can tell he's deep in thought, but I hope he at least considers me a friend.

      "One. I have one friend."

      "Who?"

      "Him." He points behind me and directly at me. I grin as the ponies whisper to each other.

      "Have you ever had a special Somepony?" Leave it to Rarity to ask a different species if they have someone they love. We all start walking towards Ponyville as they bombard Democles with questions.

      "What?"

      "Is there Somepony you love or like?"

      "No." He replies bitterly.

      "Uh, what's your favorite food?" Pinkie asks, hopping along us.

      "Apple Sauce." I can tell Applejack perked up at this.

      "Where are you from?" I ask, joining the bombardment.

      "Somewhere I want to forget." He says, sorrow in his voice.

      "Do... Do you have any family?" I ask, wanting to know the answer.

      "My sister's dead, along with our parents. I used to be married, but she cheated on me and left with our baby. So no, I don't have any family left. I don't know if I will get another girlfriend or even get married, I'm probably done with all that considering I'm dying in four years."

      "Wait, you're dying?" Rainbow asks, flying next to him.

      "I was bitten by a Threstral and I couldn't get the poison out fast enough."

      "How old are you?" I ask.

      "Thirty. How old are all of you?"

      "Twenty-Nine." I say.

      "Twenty-Six." Rainbow says.

      "Twenty-Seven." Fluttershy replies. That's the one thing she's said this entire time.

      "Twenty-Five." Pinkie Pie says cheerfully.

      "Twenty-Four." Applejack says.

      "Twenty-Eight." Rarity responds.

      "Are you gay?" I hear Rarity blurt out. I laugh out loud as Democles stops walking, and turns around. I can't see his face due to the visor, but it's still funny. He turns back around and starts walking again.

      "Bisexual." I hear him mutter. If only he was a pony, I think to myself.

      "Wait, really?" Rarity asks.

      "Yeah. And yes."

      "Yes, what?"

      "Oh then, nevermind." He says, waving his hand dismissing what he said yes to, I wonder what it is.

      "Yes what, Demo?" I ask.

      "Nothing, don't worry about it." He replies, his hand resting on the holster to his pistol. Well, I want to know and I doubt he'll kill me, so here goes nothing.

      "Democles, tell me."

      "No. It's nothing none of you should know." He says, turning around.

      "I'm not going to stop asking until you tell us. What did you do?" I say, stomping my hoof on the ground. He pulls out his pistol and presses it against my head. The girls gasp, but I remain headstrong. I know Demo wouldn't kill me.

        "It. Is. Nothing." He responds, tapping my head with each word with the barrel of his pistol. He holsters it and begins walking again, us following him.

        "Tell us."

        "No."

        "Tell us."

        "No." I can tell he's going to crack soon.

        "Tell us." The girls joined me this time, I guess they are curious as well.

        "No. Unless you want to hear something personal and something having to do with sex, then no."

        "We want to know!" He sighs as he facepalms, turning towards us.

        "You really want to know?"

        "Yes."

        "Do you REALLY want to know?" I know he's trying to stall us.

        "Yes!"

        "Do you REALLY REALLY want to know?" He asks, leaning towards us.

        "YES! Now tell us!"

        "I fucked a guy." He finally tells, walking onto Ponyville's dirt road. He looks around as he rests his hands on his hips, oblivious to the embarrassment he caused us. I glance around and see that everyone has blushes on their face. I cover my face with my hoof as I try to cover mine, not expecting what he just said. I mean, I had sex with stallions before, but still. I never told anyone, not even Rainbow Dash. I look over to him, seeing his black visor peering at us.

       "You wanted to know, so I told you."